Articles
Learn about the three articles: a, an, and the - the small words that make a big difference
What Are Articles?
Articles are small words (a, an, the) that come before nouns. They help us talk about things in a clear way and tell us whether we're talking about something specific or general. Articles are essential for proper English grammar and help make our meaning clear.
The Three Articles
1. Indefinite Article "a"
Used before words that begin with a consonant sound.
Example: a cat, a book, a house
2. Indefinite Article "an"
Used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
Example: an apple, an elephant, an hour
3. Definite Article "the"
Used to refer to a specific or previously mentioned noun.
Example: the sun, the book, the house
Articles in Context
I saw a cat in the garden.
She ate an apple for lunch.
The dog barked loudly.
Interactive Quiz 1: Choose the Correct Article
Fill in the blank with the correct article:
She saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
Show Answer
Answer: an (elephant starts with a vowel sound)
He wants ___ ice cream cone.
Show Answer
Answer: an (ice starts with a vowel sound)
___ sun is bright today.
Show Answer
Answer: The (specific sun)
Interactive Quiz 2: A vs An
Choose between "a" and "an":
I have ___ orange in my lunch.
Show Answer
Answer: an (orange starts with a vowel sound)
He is ___ honest person.
Show Answer
Answer: an (honest starts with a vowel sound, h is silent)
We saw ___ movie last night.
Show Answer
Answer: a (movie starts with a consonant sound)
Interactive Quiz 3: Definite vs Indefinite Articles
Choose between definite ("the") and indefinite ("a"/"an") articles:
I need ___ drink of water.
Show Answer
Answer: a (any drink, not specific)
___ book is on the table.
Show Answer
Answer: The (specific book we know about)
She found ___ pencil on the floor.
Show Answer
Answer: a (any pencil, not specific)
Interactive Quiz 4: Create Sentences with Articles
Create sentences using the correct articles:
Use "a" with a consonant sound word
Show Example
I saw a dog in the park.
Use "an" with a vowel sound word
Show Example
She ate an orange for breakfast.
Use "the" with a specific thing
Show Example
The sun is shining brightly.
Important Grammar Rules for Articles
Sound, Not Letter
Use "a" or "an" based on the sound, not the letter. For example, "an hour" (h is silent) but "a university" (u sounds like y).
Specific vs General
Use "the" for specific things and "a"/"an" for general things.
Unique Things
Use "the" for unique things like the sun, the moon, the earth.
Quick Reference
Pro Tip
Remember: it's about the sound, not the letter! "An hour" but "a university."